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Smart buildings are changing the way tenants are thinking about moving into condos!

Many global properties have shifted to become fully sustainable as a result of the concept of preserving our Earth’s natural resources, implementing green construction practices, and using advanced technology.

It’s a revolutionary and exciting time for tenants, investors, and property managers as modern technology creates superior commercial and residential buildings! Smart Technology and enhanced connectivity are improving tenant experiences on all fronts thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT). Corporate tenants who are seeking new space, as well as residents looking to live in a building that is forward-thinking in terms of environmental sustainability, will find smart buildings a great option.

Thanks to the Internet of Things, smart buildings can be remotely controlled. High-quality green buildings (more energy-efficient, lower carbon footprint properties) can take the stage in the future thanks to the interconnectivity of the system, especially for tenants seeking sustainable lifestyles. Green buildings have improved our planet in the following ways:

  • Upcycled architecture that reuses resources to build new properties. By reducing waste, preserving natural resources and limiting energy uses, green buildings can be extremely efficient structures that can withstand the test of time.

  • Smart buildings are extremely durable. Going green is just the best way to ensure that your property will need less maintenance and improve air quality in the process.

  • Healthier air. Seriously. Green buildings avoid using building materials that may contain harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or plastic by-products that have been linked to the release of toxic fumes and carcinogens into the atmosphere.

As the global commercial real estate market rapidly shifts to create a culture of innovation and sustainability across a wide range of property types, greener properties are becoming an emerging business strategy. As the need for sustainable apartments is amplified, so does the appeal of moving into environmentally-conscious apartments that have a reduced carbon footprint. Finding a home that has a positive impact on our planet is about more than finding a property with low rent in a great neighborhood.

Media, News

The Metaverse and CRE: The money-making future

The Commercial Real Estate (CRE) market has adapted to thousands of changes over the last decade, and it has prevailed. So what’s next on the horizon? The Metaverse that allows simulated plots of land to be purchased as a way to entice potential investors!

The Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection – it’s the Internet as a single, universal virtual world that is facilitated by the use of virtual and augmented reality devices. The metaverse is how individuals will experience the next generation of the Internet, so it’s a wise decision to continue to expand further into the CRE mainstream. It’s all about creating a digital-first experience for all users, and HSBC is doing the right thing by dipping into the virtual property market earlier than later.

With a large portion of the world dipping into the Metaverse pool, also formerly known as Facebook, it’s safe to say that the platform will quickly become prevalent in numerous CRE closing deals. Leading the charge is the banking giant HSBC – Hong-Kong based bank HSBC has announced that it would join the metaverse through the Sandbox platform. The bank will be an innovator in the field of purchasing a plot of land in the digital universe, with the main focus being on sports, e-sports and gaming.

After HSBC announced it would be joining the Sandbox, the platform’s native cryptocurrency, SAND, jumped more than 11% on Wednesday to $3.01. The token was priced at about $2.96 as of Wednesday afternoon, still up 9%.

HSBC is following in the footsteps of JP Morgan who has set up a large virtual presence in the Metaverse with a blockchain-based Decentraland. The American bank giant has already opened a lounge space in a virtual mall, hoping to increase their profits through attracting a newer audience.

Media, News

The Smart Building Market is Worth Billions – A Bright, Sustainable Future is Ahead of Us!

It’s estimated that the North American smart building market is projected to grow to 121.6 billion by 2026; it’s worth taking notice!

Smart buildings are a large part of creating a sustainable future, as about 28% of global energy-related CO2 emissions are directly correlated to the operation of buildings. As we continue to move forward towards a highly sustainable future, you as a CRE investor can greatly benefit from smart buildings. Think of investing in smart buildings as financing the next frontier of making people’s lives more efficient and sustainable, while reaping the financial rewards of investing early in the market.

Between work and home, North Americans spend about 75% of their time indoors, so comfort is extremely important. Smart buildings can include hospitals, data centers, and offices so the possibilities for investing in these infrastructures are endless. The term ‘smart buildings’ refers to the protocol that enables properties with lower power but longer-range connectivity. A smart building is based on the structure of IoT (Internet of Things) that uses hardware, software, and connectivity to manage security, HVAC, and lighting to reduce a company’s carbon footprint.

In simple terminology, smart buildings are connected to wireless sensors to be deployed throughout a building to reduce electricity in areas that are not occupied. Utilizing the automated control of a building’s electrical systems, a comfortable environment can be created for all occupants while consistently lowering their environmental impact. The best part? Modern smart solutions can be embedded into older buildings so most properties have the potential to become ‘smart buildings’.

Green buildings are, and continue to be, at the forefront of a large CRE revolution. As the demand for sustainability is getting more urgent, the people and the planet can greatly benefit long-term!

Read more at https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/the-smart-building-market-is-worth-billions—strike-while-the-iron%E2%80%99s-hot

Media, News

The appeal of single-tenant retail properties

While some types of retail property have done better than others during the pandemic era, there is one retail type that has proven to be a clear winner.

Stand-alone retail properties, also known as Triple Net Lease (NNN) properties are usually occupied by a corporate client such as a major bank, grocery store or big pharmacy. They have long been a preferred asset for investors, but now we’re seeing a significant increase in buyers searching for this type of commercial property.

The appeal for many savvy investors is the security and stability offered by the strong covenants and long, triple-net terms that usually govern the leases of these types of properties.

Read more at https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/the-appeal-of-single-tenant-retail-properties

Media, News

Rising Prices And Rising Real Estate Today. Why? A Quick Explanation

By Richard Crenian

There is a lot of capital out there that has been building up waiting to be spent and that money has now gone into real estate. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? You’re now scratching your head and saying, “Why are home prices going up?”.

Well, because you’ve been sitting at home for 18 months not spending anything. There was also a lack of housing built in the past five years, especially in the US, so now they’re trying to catch up. All of a sudden, prices are shooting up. Why? Well, lower interest rates, not enough supply and lots of demand. So is housing a good investment? Well, today it is. If you own your own house and somebody was knocking on your door trying to buy it, it’s probably worth substantially more now than what you bought it for.

What happens from here? If you have inflation, which we believe is here now, then your house should be worth more money in five years. So there’s a lot of money chasing homes. It is the same with apartment blocks. There is so much money chasing apartment blocks right now. So what does that mean? Well, a cap rate is generally what investors are looking at. A cap rate is how you measure whether or not you should be buying an apartment block. Most apartment blocks were being traded at a 5% cap rate, and in bigger communities, it was 3%.

If I bought something for 5%, and cap rates have now compressed to 3%, I made money. It’s real money that I made on a product. So if you have lots of money chasing real estate deals, you’re going to make money if you have the product. It’s very hard right now to find good product. If I can find some good product, I’m grabbing it, whatever the cost may be. On the other hand, if you’re a value investor like I also am, I’ve been sitting very, very quiet on the sidelines. Somebody described me as a lonely investor because there’s no such thing as a value investment today. If you go into a store today and you want something you have to buy it at full price or someone else will.

For example, Rolex watches have gone crazy. Why? Because everybody wants a Rolex watch When you look at a Rolex Daytona, the prices of have increased from approximately $17,000 to $50,000 CDN from a reseller. There is not enough supply and the demand is huge.
Another example is the vehicle market. I don’t know if you’ve been in and tried to buy a car, but you have to wait up to 12 months in Canada. If you were paying $110,000 for a Cadillac Escalade, now it will cost $160,000 CDN. And you still have to wait. You’ve got chip shortages and labour shortages. The car dealers can’t produce enough cars to meet demand.

Along the same lines, if you were in fashion and you wanted to buy a Yves Saint Laurent bag, Balenciaga bag or any kind of bag, not only are they limited in supply, but because of the demand, companies like The RealReal have been buying the used products and are now selling them for high markups. There’s so much money out there driving up the prices. Again, inflation? Yes. I was introduced to RealReal by my daughter. I walked around the store and I’m looking at all these old sneakers. I’m thinking I would never put my feet in a pair of old sneakers that somebody else had worn.

She goes, “Dad, how much do you think this is worth?” I go, “I don’t know, I probably wouldn’t pay 5 cents for it.” She says, “Yeah, this pair is worth $10,000.” And I go, “What? A pair of sneakers?” The demand for old style nostalgia is crazy right now. I’ll relate this all back to real estate but the point is that there’s a lot of money out there chasing very few products today. If you want a car and your salesperson tells you it’s worth $50,000 and you have to wait 10 months, you write the check for $50,000 and you’re done. There’s no argument. You buy it. If you go into any store and you want something, there are no deals to be had. You don’t go into a Rolex dealer and say, “I want a deal on my Rolex Daytona,” he’ll kick you out of that store so fast.

What is happening? Why is real estate the same way? Well, it’s the same with trying to be a value investor today. There’s no such thing as a value investor anymore. If you want an apartment building, a retail building or even land, and there’s no availability and the vendor says to you he wants $1, he’ll likely get $1.10. Is there inflation? Yes. So, if you’re a value investor you’re sitting on the sidelines. Good luck to you because you are probably sitting in a chair somewhere, lonely all by yourself. If you want to be an active investor it’s time for you to write the check, as awful as it sounds, that’s the truth.

Media

Edmonton Vacancy Rates at Historical Lows for Industrial CRE

As we know, COVID-19 pandemic impacted all verticals. However, one of the most substantial impacts it made is perhaps that in the industrial warehouse sector. Supply has been leased and bought up but there is still a strong demand for more space. Fear and worry seems to be driving that demand as business owners are worried that future events involving the pandemic might disrupt their supply lines. When fear of lack of supply is a factor, the demand for more industrial warehouse space increases.

While the pandemic may have caused disruptions at the start in Edmonton, Alberta, huge warehouse demand continues to boost commercial real estate. The vacant offices in downtown, along with the 3.9 million square feet of warehousing space under construction, Edmonton offers attractive investment opportunities. Learn more about investment opportunities in the Edmonton area and see why so many are considering it.

Read more at https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/edmonton-vacancy-rates-at-historical-lows-for-industrial-cre

Media

Canadian CRE Investor Portfolios Strengthen with Multifamily Real Estate

The Canadian Commercial Real Estate (CRE) market seems stronger than ever, despite all the ongoing pandemic challenges.

New opportunities to strengthen investment portfolios continues to be available for Canadian CRE investors. Multifamily real estate properties are some of them.

Canada’s Housing Market Is Hot!

When COVID hit, many experts predicted a decline in home prices across Canada, some saying they would decrease by up to 18%. But it seems, Canada’s housing market is going as strong as ever.

Canada’s housing prices have already been high, but no one expected them to reach new record highs during the pandemic; Increasing by 13.5% in the past year and reaching a $676,600 benchmark in January. Interest rates have jumped lower though, which is excellent news for people looking to borrow funds to buy a home or invest in commercial real estate.

 

Supply and Demand for High-Rise Multifamily Properties Stays High

Multifamily properties have always been considered a smart and profitable investment. These days, a growing number of Canadians are looking for well-located, high-rise multifamily properties to live in, especially those with energy-efficient programs.

That’s why many CRE investors are currently focusing on those properties to meet the high demand with an even higher supply.

 

Read more:

https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/multifamily-real-estate-strengthens-cre-investor-portfolios-in-canada

Media, News

All Maison Birks Stores in Canada to be Reopened

When the pandemic forced most businesses worldwide to shutter their doors, Birks Group wasn’t the exception. The luxury jewellery retailer temporarily closed all its Maison Birks stores across Canada to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Fast forward several months, and we can now finally revisit all Maison Birks stores, albeit following specific health and safety guidelines.

 

Concierge Service and Online Shopping

Although all 28 Maison Birks stores across Canada were closed until recently, customers could still shop online. Even with the stores open once again, they can always make orders online and have their timepieces and jewellery delivered straight to their door.

A big part of Birks Group is working closely with clients to help them find their perfect timepiece, necklace, ring, and a wealth of other jewellery pieces.

Following the lockdown, the company launched a concierge service in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary.

The pandemic hasn’t put a stop to celebrations, such as anniversaries and graduations, so Birks made a mission to be there for all its clients. Canadians could make orders by phone or email to get a top-notch concierge service and receive their orders by mail.

Even with all the stores reopened, they can still reach out to Birks by phone to enjoy its luxury concierge service.

 

Read more at:
https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/birks-group-reopens-all-its-maison-birks-stores-in-canada

 

Media, News

Final Construction Phase for Bayside Toronto

Commercial real estate investors are constantly searching for ways to keep their funds moving and growing. Toronto continues to prove be a magnet for CRE investors and projects similar to Bayside Toronto, a luxury waterfront development located in the East Bayfront. These projects and their investor’s funds continue to work for them even during covid-19.

 

T3 Bayside

T3 Bayside will also be a mixed-use space, except it will have commercial use. It will feature offices and retail properties, all leased by the CBRE Group, Inc.

This part of the Hines’ project will include two mixed-use buildings, which will occupy over 500,000 square feet of space. Due to the high market demand and the sustainable build (the two T3 buildings will use mass timber for construction), they’re expected to attract many tenants.

 

Bayside Toronto

Bayside Toronto is one of the biggest Canadian commercial real estate projects by Hines, an international real estate agency, and this project is speeding up its development. Together with other investors Hines, just like ReDev Properties, are creating a mixed-use spaces that includes retail, offices, condos, cultural venues, restaurants, and shore promenades in Toronto.

Aqualuna is the fourth and final construction phase of the Bayside Toronto project. The other three include Aqualina, Aquavista, and Aquabella, all of which are luxury condominium complexes at the waterfront.

Aqualuna is also primarily a condo complex that’s a joint venture of Hines and Tridel, a Toronto-based real estate developer. Nevertheless, it will also feature a large retail space – about 18,000 square feet on the ground floor. Its total 468,000 square feet of space will also house a luxury lounge, an amenity terrace, and a pool overlooking Lake Ontario.

 

Read more at:
https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/bayside-toronto-enters-its-final-construction-phase

Media, News

Toronto Mixed-Use, Multi-Tower Redevelopment

Upgrades to the commercial districts of Toronto, Ontario are always welcomed by retailers and CRE investors alike. And this time, it’s the Golden Mile district mixed-use redevelopment that’s set to undergo massive changes. This redevelopment project is expected to attract more visitors and more foot traffic. With everything going according to plan, Golden Mile’s multi-tower project is on the path to becoming the hottest part of town.

 

Plenty of Green Spaces 

While the multi-tower mixed-use redevelopment project initially suggested a total of 3,500 m² for parks and open spaces, the area’s been increased to astonishing 5,694 m².

This comes as great news for retailers who are expecting an increase in foot traffic. After the coronavirus pandemic’s been put under control, consumers are expected to flock to parks and open spaces and enjoy greater freedom once again, which will inevitably lead to more interest in brick-and-mortar shops, cafes and restaurants nearby, and subsequently more spending.

 

What This Means for Canadian CRE Investors 

With the proposed redevelopment project in Toronto, everyone’s showing greater interest in the Golden Mile district. From potential new renters in the area to business owners looking for new office space and excited retailers who are looking to increase their sales – everyone is excited to see this project succeed.

Now is a good time to invest in retail CRE in Ontario and receive a higher return on investment.

 

Read more at:
https://www.redevgroup.com/news-article/multi-tower-mixed-use-redevelopment-in-toronto